Kittatinny lax clinches division championship

First conference title in program history

Photos

The Kittatinny Cougars are NJAC Champions. Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Kittatinny Cougars autograph their championship banner. Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Wallkill's Jerry Struble with the ball. Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Kittatinny head varsity lacrosse coach George Morville (sunglasses) speaks with the Cougars. Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Kittatinny's Dan Laemers challenges Wallkill's Andrew Reed for the ball. Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Wallkill's Jerry Struble shadows Kittatinny's Garrett Armstrong. Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28, 2014. The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for its first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

By George HunterNEWTON — Kittatinny Regional High School defeated Wallkill Valley Regional High School in boys varsity lacrosse on Monday, April 28.

The final score was 20-5. Kittatinny clinched the NJAC Independence Division for their first championship in program history. The game took place at Kittatinny Regional High School in Newton, New Jersey.

Kittatinny's Garrett Armstrong scored eight goals and contributed two assists in the game. Teammate Kevin Jellinek contributed four goals and one assist while fellow Cougar Nick West added two goals and seven assists.

Despite a record of 9-2-0, the Kittatinny Cougars have no plans to rest. The season is not over yet. They are scheduled to play Jefferson Township and West Milford. Kittatinny won the Larry Beatty Cup by defeating Newton in the annual Larry Beatty game on Saturday. Kittatinny's head coach George Morville intends to keep the momentum going.

"We had a huge win against Newton on Saturday," Morville said. "But I felt we came out a little flat today. Unfortunately we had a couple of players let their emotions get the best of them. But overall I am satisfied with the level of play. We are looking to win the Pooley Division. We can get things done when we put our minds to it."

The incident Morville referred to was about a fight between the Cougars and Rangers. Kittatinny's Dylan Wunder and Giancarlo Picinini were thrown out of the game while Wallkill's Jack Andrews was also put out. The players will have to sit out the next game.

"We are going to be down a couple of guys we don't want to not have, but we will go out there and give it our best," Morville said.